Report details medical marijuana certifications

April 21, 2011

LANISNG (AP) — A published report says a majority of about 64,000 people authorized to use medical marijuana in Michigan have unspecified ailments that cause severe and chronic pain, muscle spasms and nausea.

The Detroit Free Press reports Thursday that the top medical condition for medical marijuana certification was severe and chronic pain, with 36,560 patients. That's followed by about 15,500 with severe, persistent muscle spasms and about 7,300 with severe nausea.

There were about 1,400 certifications for cancer and about 1,100 for hepatitis C.

The Free Press based its report on Michigan Department of Community Health data. It says the numbers come from a broader report due out soon.

Michigan voters agreed in 2008 to legalize marijuana in treating some health problems. The law's effectiveness remains a subject of intense debate.